Who lives longer: People who take long breaks or people who exercise daily? Surveyed nearly 40 thousand elderly people and gave surprising answers!

Everyone wishes to have a healthy and long life, but how to achieve it, rest or exercise? This question always has many different views.

Some people believe that long-term rest can reduce the body's aging process, slowing down the aging process. Meanwhile, scientific evidence has shown that regular exercise not only improves health but also prevents many diseases. So which method should we choose?

In the "New England Journal of Medicine" published a study synthesizing eight studies, analyzing data from 36,383 older adults with an average age of 62.6 years old. The results show that exercising about 2 hours a day can reduce the risk of premature death by 50% to 60%. Even just 1 hour of light exercise a day can reduce the risk of death by 40%.

Another study by Harvard University, published in the "British Journal of Sports Medicine", surveyed 44,000 people with an average age of 65.8 years. The results showed that exercising at moderate to high intensity for 30 to 40 minutes a day can neutralize the harmful effects of sitting for 10 hours and reduce the risk of all-cause mortality.

Similarly, the World Health Organization has also recommended that adults over 65 years of age, if their health allows, should practice 70 to 150 minutes of high-intensity exercise, or 150 to 300 minutes of moderate exercise. moderate intensity exercise every week. However, if your body is not suitable for exercise, you should not force yourself.

After age 60, what changes will persistent daily exercise bring to the elderly body?

Slow down the process of brain decline

Exercise is beneficial in improving the brain function of the elderly, enhancing brain flexibility, thereby slowing down brain decline and reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Minimize muscle loss

After age 30, muscles will gradually decline at a certain rate, and after 60, the loss of muscle strength becomes faster. Resistance exercises such as leg raises, weight training, and elastic band pulling can effectively improve muscle strength and body function.

Improve cardiopulmonary function

Cardiopulmonary function will gradually decline with age, but an appropriate amount of exercise can help improve this function, enhancing the respiratory and cardiovascular capabilities of the elderly.

Improve psychological health

When exercising, the body releases chemicals such as endorphins and dopamine, which help the brain maintain a feeling of excitement, improving mood and psychological health. On the contrary, long-term rest can lead to physical and psychological problems, increasing the risk of depression or anxiety.

For each elderly person, to increase the quality of life in old age, it is necessary to make an exercise plan appropriate to their health status. If your health is still good, you should maintain exercise; If your body is not suitable for exercise, do not force yourself.